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Viewing cable 07BANGKOK5667, THAI ELECTION CAMPAIGN RULES EASED BUT TENSIONS

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
07BANGKOK5667 2007-11-02 09:54 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Bangkok
VZCZCXRO6293
PP RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHBK #5667/01 3060954
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 020954Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0494
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 5092
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 7884
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 9981
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 1937
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 3838
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 005667 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM TH
SUBJECT: THAI ELECTION CAMPAIGN RULES EASED BUT TENSIONS 
SIMMER 
 
REF: A. BANGKOK 5600 (MILITARY ELECTION INTERFERENCE) 
     B. BANGKOK 5578 (THAI ELECTION SEASON) 
     C. BANGKOK 5482 (ELECTION DECREE ADVANCES) 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
1. (SBU) On October 31, the Election Commission of Thailand 
eased restrictive election campaign rules issued a week 
earlier following widespread public criticism.  While most 
rules remain unchanged, the amendments, issued over the 
objections of one outspoken election commissioner, loosen 
restrictions on media election coverage and reduce 
limitations on public campaign activities by political 
parties.  The ECT plans to investigate allegations of 
election interference by the military and has met with 
government and private entities as preparations for the 
December 23 election continue in earnest.  End summary. 
 
CAMPAIGN RULES EASED 
-------------------- 
 
2. (U) On October 31, the Election Commission of Thailand 
(ECT) amended strict campaign regulations that were 
originally published on October 24 and which sharply 
restricted permissible campaign activities for political 
parties and candidates ahead of December 23 elections.  The 
ECT promised to amend the regulations after receiving fierce 
criticism from political party representatives and the media 
over the rules, which some called "undemocratic and unfair." 
The election regulations circumscribed media election 
campaign coverage, forbade certain public events, and 
restricted campaign poster sizes, among other restrictions. 
 
3. (SBU) The ECT revisions ease the ability of political 
parties to use vehicles for campaigning, loosen restrictions 
on erecting stages in public, and permit parties to organize 
parades and dances (a tradition in Thai election campaigns). 
The ECT also granted greater discretion to media outlets in 
covering the campaign and interviewing candidates by 
eliminating guidelines that originally required that the 
media grant equal air time to all political parties (Note: 
approximately 70 parties are currently registered by the ECT. 
 End note). 
 
4. (U) The majority of the regulations remain unchanged, 
however, including October 24 campaign finance rules that 
limit the amount of money each candidate for electoral 
district races may spend to $44,200 (1.5 million baht). 
Additional rules similarly limit the amount of money each 
political party can spend campaigning for the 80 party list 
seats in the House of Representatives.  The ECT, however, did 
not amend campaign "advice" included in the regulations that 
urged parties to train election workers on electoral laws, to 
use "polite words" while campaigning, and to avoid 
"exploiting" popular figures by featuring them in their 
campaigns. 
 
ELECTION OFFICIAL PROTESTS RULE CHANGES 
--------------------------------------- 
 
5. (SBU) On November 1, the ECT announced that outspoken 
commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham, who had earlier defended the 
strict campaign rules and had spoken out against amending 
them (reftel B), would take 15 days of sick leave "for health 
reasons."  Sodsri had claimed that there was no legal basis 
for amending the regulations after their issuance.  Media and 
election observers speculated that Sodsri was not ill, but 
rather taking leave to protest the ECT's decision to ease the 
widely-criticized election rules.  Sodsri reportedly skipped 
the ECT meeting that approved the rule changes, as well as 
subsequent meetings between the ECT and other government 
agencies.  The ECT chairman publicly denied there was a rift 
within the ECT and insisted commissioners were free to 
express their own opinions. 
 
THE PPP HOT POTATO 
------------------ 
 
BANGKOK 00005667  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
6. (SBU) The media have reported on the hesitancy of the ECT 
to investigate an October 23 accusation by pro-Thaksin 
People's Power Party (PPP) leader Samak Sundaravej that the 
Council for National Security (CNS) plotted to impede his 
party's election prospects.  Samak's accusations were based 
on allegedly leaked RTG documents that purportedly prove the 
CNS planned to use the military to limit voter support for 
the PPP (reftel A).  While the election laws empower the ECT 
to investigate these allegations, the media reported that ECT 
officials were initially split as to whether the complaints 
were legitimate and merited an investigation.  Under election 
laws, the ECT can punish those who violate election laws with 
substantial fines, jail terms, and disenfranchisement, 
thereby raising the political stakes should the ECT launch an 
investigation.  The ECT has announced it plans to nominate an 
investigative committee to examine Samak's accusations. 
 
LAYING THE BUREAUCRATIC GROUNDWORK 
---------------------------------- 
 
7. (U) During the week of October 30-November 2, the ECT held 
meetings with other government agencies and private entities 
to solicit cooperation in administering the December 23 
elections.  The ECT exacted pledges from the Interior, 
Foreign Affairs, and other government ministries, as well as 
the Royal Thai Army and Police to assist in holding a free 
and fair election.  The ECT also reportedly met with 
companies vying for an ECT contract to print approximately 
100 million election ballots. 
 
BOYCE